Skip to main content

Google to Start Urging SMS Two-Step Verification Users to Shift to Prompts


14 July 2017


Google to Start Urging SMS Two-Step Verification Users to Shift to Prompts

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Google prompts simplifies two-step verifications
  • Two-step SMS users will see an invitation to try prompts
  • SMS verification codes are more susceptible to phishing attacks
There have been plenty of cyber-attacks in the recent past that would make anyone feel the need to add some additional security measures to protect their digital information. Two-step verification (2-SV) aka two-factor authentication is one of these measures being used by tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Apple over the past few years. Google, in particular, tried to make the whole two-step authentication process simpler last year by introducing 'prompt', which does not require users to input an SMS code. But there are some users who still prefer the old SMS route, and for them, Google has a plan to shift them to Prompts.

Starting next week, SMS 2-step verification users will see an invitation to try out Google prompts when the try to sign into, say Gmail, so that they are informed about the new alternative. Essentially, Google prompts simplifies the two-step verification process by removing the need to enter an OTP sent as SMS every time a user is trying to sign into a device. The prompt verification, instead, simply brings a pop-up on a user's phone with a message "Are you trying to sign-in?" Followed by the device and location from where the sign in is taking place. The approval prompt gives a simple "Yes" or "No, It's Not Me" option, which a lot simpler than having to input a code.

Google says that one of the reasons behind pushing users to shift SMS two-step verification users to prompt is due to security concerns as text messages and one-time codes are more susceptible to phishing attempts by attackers. "By relying on account authentication instead of SMS, administrators can be sure that their mobile policies will be enforced on the device and authentication is happening through an encrypted connection," Google says.

The tech giant also updated prompt in February to show more information such as the name and location of the device attempting to sign into your account. For those still using SMS codes, expect to see the prompts preview starting next week. The prompt feature is available to Android as well as iOS users, although iOS users will need the Google search app installed to use prompts.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Airtel To Offer Free 3GB Mobile Data Per Month to Bring Customers to Its 4G Network

  03 January 2017 HIGHLIGHTS Offer is valid to both existing and new Airtel subscribers Both prepaid and postpaid users can avail the benefits Customers will get 3GB of free data over and above their pack Airtel on Tuesday unveiled an offer under which users can avail of free mobile data worth up to Rs. 9,000 for 12 months. The offer is meant to attract users to the  Airtel 4G  network, and is targeted at 4G handset users currently on other networks, as well as Airtel customers upgrading to a new 4G handset. India's biggest telecom operator, Airtel said that the free data offer will be available across India starting Wednesday, and will be valid till February 28. Under the free data offer, customers will get 3GB of free data every month till December 31, 2017, as long as they are using select Airtel 4G prepaid and postpaid plans. Airtel is providing the free mobile data over and above the subscribed plan's benefits. Free ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Hello Moto: A Look Back at Six Classic Moto Phones

  12 December 2016 HIGHLIGHTS Motorola was the first company to ship a cellphone Its biggest hit was the Moto RAZR V3 Today, Motorola is a part of Chinese electronics giant Lenovo Recently, we relived the past with Nokia’s most memorable phones of all time. Although there may be a lot of fanboys and fangirls of the Finnish brand, many have equally strong feelings for the daddy of all mobile phone brands - Motorola. Its name will forever be etched in history as the  first company  to sell a mobile phone - the DyanTAC 8000X - in 1983. Since then, Motorola has been an easily identifiable brand to almost everybody in the world. Its designs were often strikingly unique and at the same time, Motorola phones often gave out a vibe that these devices mean business. Today, we’ve handpicked some of the most memorable Motorola phones we’ve come across. Here are our picks for the six most memorable Motorola phones of all time. 1) Motorola ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Nokia 6.1 Gets a Price Cut in India Ahead of Next Week's Nokia 6.1 Plus Launch

  Dated: 18 August 2018   HMD Global is selling the Nokia 6.1 at a reduced price in India via its official site Highlights Nokia 6.1 seen to get up to a Rs. 1,500 price cut 3GB RAM variant is priced at Rs. 15,499 & the 4GB model costs Rs. 17,499 Nokia 6.1 Plus has been spotted online ahead of its launch Nokia 6.1 Plus is expected to be unveiled in India on August 21 and ahead of the launch, Nokia licensee HMD Global has dropped the price in India of the Nokia 6.1 or Nokia 6 (2018). Launched in India in April, the Nokia 6.1 was globally unveiled at MWC 2018 in February, but had first been launched in China in January. Later in May, HMD Global had launched another variant of the smartphone. Now, both the variants have received up to a Rs. 1,500 price cut in India. Meanwhile, Nokia 6.1 Plus, the global variant of Nokia X6 that was launched in China in May, has now surfaced online with that name. ...
Post a Comment
Read more